86 Rebalancing of East Asia in the Context of North Korea Acquiring Nuclear Capability

94 Why the NDS Matters: The Emergence of the Afghan Intelligence Agency after 9/11

Wisdom

108 Political Extremism in Turkestan at the Beginning of the 20th Century

120 A Country Founded on Legal Principles

132 From Universal Empire to Nation-state: Political Ideas and Power Symbols in Austrian Emblems

Letters

142 China’s Study on Military Approach to Overcome United States: From the Perspective of “Finisher” Strategy

153 The Mission of Adolf Abramovich Joffe

Summary of Issue 78 of the Magazine Leaders

Beyond the China Seas: Will China Become a Global “Sea Power”?

China’s 2010 White Book emphasised both the defensive and deterrent role of the “offshore defense strategy” beyond the first island chain and referred to operations in distant waters: “In line with the requirements of offshore defense strategy, the PLA Navy (PLAN) endeavors to accelerate the modernization of its integrated combat forces, enhances its capabilities in strategic deterrence and counterattack, and develops its capabilities in conducting operations in distant waters and in countering non-traditional security threats.” The paper refers to “new method of logistic supports for sustaining long-time maritime missions” and “on drills in distant waters” for “missions other than war.” China’s 2015 White Paper slightly changes the wording to incorporate “open seas protection”.

Chinese Futures: Horizon 2025

Admittedly, the type of regional order that will emerge in the Asia-Pacific will depend on a number of variables that are beyond China’s control. These include, in particular, the US’s ability and willingness to uphold its regional commitments, as well as other Asian countries’ response to China’s behaviour. Additionally, Japan’s and India’s regional positioning, ASEAN’s ability to maintain cohesion, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula all factor into this equation. These external variables will prove critical in determining whether the future regional environment will be confrontational or cooperative – and what China’s position in it will be. For the decade ahead, mindful of its own vulnerabilities, the PRC will seek to lay the groundwork for a post-American regional order, inclusive of China’s concerns and leadership aspirations. Whether this will be a step towards future Chinese hegemony remains uncertain.

Why the NDS Matters: The Emergence of the Afghan Intelligence Agency after 9/11

Immediately after the United States drawdown at the end of 2014, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) faced numerous challenges in tackling certain issues, since the Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence trained and funded the Taliban on its soil and continues to provide military and financial support to the Taliban and other terrorist groups carrying out attacks against the Afghan Security Forces across the country. The NDS continues to suffer from key intelligence capabilities, especially in gathering intelligence information from remote areas in order to prevent Pakistan’s interference in Afghanistan affairs. The failure of major powers to come to the aid of Afghanistan and strengthen its intelligence agency not only created more extremism, radicalisation, and terrorism but also created insecurity and instability. This article argues that the reform of the intelligence agencies is imperative, and the depoliticisation of the intelligence process is as much an element of national reconciliation as consolidation of power.

86 Rebalancing of East Asia in the Context of North Korea Acquiring Nuclear Capability

94 Why the NDS Matters: The Emergence of the Afghan Intelligence Agency after 9/11

Wisdom

108 Political Extremism in Turkestan at the Beginning of the 20th Century

120 A Country Founded on Legal Principles

132 From Universal Empire to Nation-state: Political Ideas and Power Symbols in Austrian Emblems

Letters

142 China’s Study on Military Approach to Overcome United States: From the Perspective of “Finisher” Strategy

153 The Mission of Adolf Abramovich Joffe

Summary of Issue 78 of the Magazine Leaders

Beyond the China Seas: Will China Become a Global “Sea Power”?

China’s 2010 White Book emphasised both the defensive and deterrent role of the “offshore defense strategy” beyond the first island chain and referred to operations in distant waters: “In line with the requirements of offshore defense strategy, the PLA Navy (PLAN) endeavors to accelerate the modernization of its integrated combat forces, enhances its capabilities in strategic deterrence and counterattack, and develops its capabilities in conducting operations in distant waters and in countering non-traditional security threats.” The paper refers to “new method of logistic supports for sustaining long-time maritime missions” and “on drills in distant waters” for “missions other than war.” China’s 2015 White Paper slightly changes the wording to incorporate “open seas protection”.

Chinese Futures: Horizon 2025

Admittedly, the type of regional order that will emerge in the Asia-Pacific will depend on a number of variables that are beyond China’s control. These include, in particular, the US’s ability and willingness to uphold its regional commitments, as well as other Asian countries’ response to China’s behaviour. Additionally, Japan’s and India’s regional positioning, ASEAN’s ability to maintain cohesion, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula all factor into this equation. These external variables will prove critical in determining whether the future regional environment will be confrontational or cooperative – and what China’s position in it will be. For the decade ahead, mindful of its own vulnerabilities, the PRC will seek to lay the groundwork for a post-American regional order, inclusive of China’s concerns and leadership aspirations. Whether this will be a step towards future Chinese hegemony remains uncertain.

Why the NDS Matters: The Emergence of the Afghan Intelligence Agency after 9/11

Immediately after the United States drawdown at the end of 2014, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) faced numerous challenges in tackling certain issues, since the Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence trained and funded the Taliban on its soil and continues to provide military and financial support to the Taliban and other terrorist groups carrying out attacks against the Afghan Security Forces across the country. The NDS continues to suffer from key intelligence capabilities, especially in gathering intelligence information from remote areas in order to prevent Pakistan’s interference in Afghanistan affairs. The failure of major powers to come to the aid of Afghanistan and strengthen its intelligence agency not only created more extremism, radicalisation, and terrorism but also created insecurity and instability. This article argues that the reform of the intelligence agencies is imperative, and the depoliticisation of the intelligence process is as much an element of national reconciliation as consolidation of power.